Fashion Week Designer Download: Rebecca Taylor

By Nandini D'Souza
February 11, 2011

Mere weeks into 2011 and it’s already shaping up to be a big year for top fashion designer Rebecca Taylor. The New Zealand-born designer is celebrating her 15th year on the New York fashion scene as well as the acquisition of the company by apparel manufacturer/marketer Kellwood (Rebecca Taylor is still be very much at the fashion design helm). This spring, she’ll be launching her new flagship boutique in Manhattan’s covetable Meatpacking neighborhood, her second New York store.

First though, the fashion runways. No doubt Fall 2011—which the top fashion designer is debuting today at Lincoln Center—will hit all the right femme-pretty notes Taylor's customers (like Kristen Bell, Alexa Chung and Taylor Swift, not to mention practically every fashion magazine editor we've ever spoken to) have come to rely on. Fashion designer Rebecca Taylor's specific brand of girlish-cool fare is perfect for those looking to amp up their feminine flair without looking like a young princess-in-training. Her designer collections consistently evoke more than a note of romanticism, even when she’s playing it tougher. Case in point: Spring 2011, her nod to Ali MacGraw and all those lean 70s silhouettes—done up with a floral print and ruffle or two.

But what's in store for Fall fashion trends? The Inside Source found out.

The Inside Source: What’s the inspiration behind Fall 2011 fashion trends?

Rebecca Taylor: Fall 2011 is inspired by dreamy illusive paintings, blurred images and sparkling lights. I’m reminded of dimly lit nights in the chic Parisian night clubs of the '70s. Dresses in luscious prints revealed beneath rich, smoky-colored shearlings, found beading and lace patched over delicate printed dresses, lace appliqué on silk tees under shimmering Lurex sweaters. [You] cocooned from the cold and ready to set forth on your adventures in the city.

Rebecca Taylor Fall 2011

Rebecca Taylor Fall 2011 Runway fashions (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for IMG)

The Inside Source: What are your favorite pieces from your design collection?

Rebecca Taylor: The long shearling coat is a must this season! And the beautiful beaded organza pants.

The Inside Source: Here on the East Coast, we're hoping for an early spring. What are your favorite spring fashion trends?

Rebecca Taylor: I am loving the longer midi skirts [mid-calf length skirts] and the high-waisted denim jeans. They make your legs look super long!

Rebecca Taylor Fashion

Rebecca Taylor Spring 2011 Runway fashions (images courtesy of Rebecca Taylor)

The Inside Source: Everyone knows the day before a runway fashion show is pure chaos. What will you be doing the day after the fashion show?

Rebecca Taylor: The day after the show, we will be busy merchandising the collection and introducing the sales team to it. There is no rest for the wicked, so I must be very naughty!

The Inside Source: Do you ever look to eBay for fashion design inspiration?

Rebecca Taylor: Yes, my partner [longtime business partner Elizabeth Bugdaycay] is an avid e-bay shopper. We love all things vintage.

The Inside Source: What was the first item you got on eBay?

Rebecca Taylor: A set of 1940s lights in 2004.

(all images courtesy Rebecca Taylor)

The Inside Source: What are your favorite eBay search keywords?

Rebecca Taylor: Victorian jewelry, vintage children’s clothes, vintage magazines, rare edition artist books, shoes (that are current and sold out, by Prada, Miu Miu, Chloe and Lanvin).